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27 Articles

I won’t dwell too long on our Rider of the Year awards do, because you can read all about it on p8. Suffice to say, it was a great bash, involving some true legends of UK MTBing, many of whom would themselves have been worthy winners of the Lifetime Achievement gong. Next time, eh? The following day’s ride was a real blast, too, even if some were a little bleary-eyed, due to Wiper & True brewery taking good care of us the previous night! Thanks again to Lezyne for supporting the awards, our brand manager Jo Penny – a bit of a legend herself – for getting the whole thing off the ground, our ops manager Helen for her event-planning skills and everyone else who helped. With that done and dusted,…

IN THE MAG THIS MONTH

CHARLIE HATTON DH WORLD CHAMPION We ask the master of Aonach Mòr the questions that matter in this month’s DNA interview – p14 BERNARD KERR WORLD CUP STAR Car-lover and spaniel enthusiast Bernard reveals his top tips for enduring Britsh winters – p18 HANNAH BARNES MTB AMBASSADOR The Scottish rider explains her back-to-basics approach to fuelling her rides (and her everyday life) – p26 TIM COMMERFORD ROCK ROYALTY We take a look at the musos who shred the trails as hard as their instruments, among them, RATM’s bassist – p45…

IN THE MAG THIS MONTH

JAMES COSTLEY-WHITE EDITOR More riding – hopefully I’ll have a bike for the whole year this time! ROBIN WEAVER TECH EDITOR IN CHIEF Bike of the Year testing (not the writing, though!) and my first go at an MTB marathon JULIA BROUSSIER CREATIVE DESIGN LEAD Keeping on progressing and ticking off new features – and some biking holidays! CHRIS BARNARD PRODUCTION EDITOR Longer-distance rides and deeper exploration of my homeland, Wales RACHEL BENNET STAFF WRITER I can’t wait to get between the tape – I’m super-psyched for the XC season to kick off…

We’re used to welcoming the odd famous face here at MBUK HQ, but we’ve never had three world champions in the building all at once before! Not only did Steve Peat, Rachel Atherton and Charlie Hatton all turn out for our inaugural Rider of the Year awards in Bristol, but so did a plethora of other pros, from World Cup stars Bernard Kerr and Laurie Greenland to backflip world record holder Tom Isted and YouTube favourite Ben ‘Deakinator’ Deakin. They were joined by a host of industry folk, along with many of our nominees, several of the talented youngsters from the MBUK-backed GT Viris team and some familiar faces from the pages of the mag over the years, including Andrew ‘Doddy’ Dodd and Andrew Titley. Black-tyre event While some pulled out all…

MAGIC MOMENTS 2O23

For us, 2023 was the year when it really felt like things had gone back to normal. No lockdowns, no mask-wearing, no sky-rocketing inflation. The cost-of-living crisis continues, but travel has opened up again, events are once more drawing big crowds and we can ride when and where we want. While the bike industry is still in a spot of bother, there’s been plenty to celebrate this year, from epic racing to exciting tech. Here are our high points… B.O.T.Y. BOUNCES BACK WITH A BANG “I make no bones about the fact I love travelling, seeing new places, riding unfamiliar trails, eating good food and generally being in a sunny environment. This year, after a hiatus from 2020 to ’22, we managed to take our annual Bike of the Year shoot over…

MAGIC MOMENTS 2O23

WHO IS... CHARLIE HATTON Charlie has been a home-brewed favourite on the downhill scene for a few years now, but when, in August, he nailed and railed the slippery slopes of Fort William to find his own pot of gold at the bottom, he truly became a great of the sport WHO IS CHARLIE HATTON? A guy who goes fast on a bike. WHAT ARE YOU BEST KNOWN FOR? Probably for winning the 2023 World Championships! WHAT ARE YOU UP TO? Recovering from my injury in Loudenvielle, France, then probably lots of motorbike trials through the winter. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? Wake up, have a good breakfast, then do some sort of training in the morning. Eat lunch and then more training in the afternoon, mixed with some sort of two-wheeled riding. WHERE DO YOU CALL…

TREAT YOURSELF!

1 Passenger Escapism changing robe After a cold and soggy ride, there’s nothing more satisfying than slipping into dry threads. This robe will keep you cosy while you get your filthy kit off, with its fluffy sherpa-fleece lining, ripstop shell and PFC-free DWR coating. It’s made from 100 per cent recycled materials, including single-use plastic bottles. £119.95 www.passenger-clothing.com 2 TrailMaps Mountain Bike Map of Britain Adorn your walls with a trail guide inspired by the iconic London Underground map. TrailMaps offer a huge array of other designs, too, including BikePark Wales, Glentress and the Surrey Hills. You can even design your own. From £24.95 https://trailmaps.com 3 RAB Down Hut slippers These high-tech slippers combine a windproof Pertex Quantum outer fabric with hydrophobic down insulation (both recycled) and a brushed-fleece lining to keep your toes toasty,…

TREAT YOURSELF!

BLAST THROUGH WINTER the BK way

1 GET OUT THERE AND RIDE! “Honestly, I really love riding bikes, so it’s actually kind of easy to stay motivated to get out. When you’re travelling to races and resting in the week, you don’t get to ride a crazy amount, so I love the off season! I ride everything and anything, from my hardtail to my e-bike, my enduro bike to my DH bike. Riding too much is one of my downfalls!” 2 SUIT UP “The winter kit we have now is light years better than what we had before, so riding in the wet doesn’t have to mean getting drenched and cold. Check out the new Leatt HydraDri 5.0 Mono Suit – it’s a game-changer!” 3 TRY SOME MOTO “I like to mix it up by riding motorbikes in the off season.…

BLAST THROUGH WINTER the BK way

SEND IT! + Win all of this

IN ASSOCIATION WITH / UPGRADE YOUR MAIL, PHOTOS, IDEAS & RANTS Write to: MBUK Send it! Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST Email: mbuk@ourmedia.co.uk Visit: www.mbuk.com STAR LETTER WINS... Lezyne Pocket Torque Drive torque wrench & Alloy Drive (M) mini pump worth £105 THAT’S GOTTA HURT WINS... 661 Recon Advance knee pads (M) & Rail Classic gloves (L) worth £125 SHOT OF THE MONTH WINS... DMR OiOi saddle, Deathgrip (Thin) grips & V11 pedals worth £123 INSTA-BANGERS WINS... Lezyne Super Drive 1600XXL & KTV Pro Smart lights worth £160 STAR LETTER E-VOLUTION I’ve only been in the e-MTB scene since the start of COVID. Combined with a good diet, I managed to lose three stone, riding throughout it all. It all started on a cheap hardtail e-bike, which lasted three weeks on the trails before developing 30-odd faults! Then I moved onto a Scott e-hardtail,…

SEND IT! + Win all of this

SKEWERED & SEPTIC

“My scariest moment ever was probably when I was 12 years old, at one of the earliest races I entered. I did this jump, and landed kinda sketchily and into a hole. The handlebar went into my torso and passed through my stomach lining. I was lying there and realised there was a pretty big hole in my stomach, so didn’t really want to move. Then a guy came along and went, “Oh, shit!” so I was airlifted to the nearest hospital. “The first thing the doctor did was put his fingers in there to see how deep it was, then I was rushed into surgery and got internal stitches. At that age, I probably didn’t comprehend the gravity of the situation. I was back riding a couple of weeks later…

SKEWERED & SEPTIC

ROUTES TURKEY BURNERS

The Christmas and new year period is a busy time, with plenty of overindulgence and extra jobs to do. Combined with cold, wet and short days, this means riding time usually takes a hit. So, we’re gifting you three great routes to provide the motivation to get out for some fresh air and fun, while also burning the calories. First up is a wild ride in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park – aka the Brecon Beacons, officially renamed with its Welsh title this year. We’ve picked the classic ‘Gap’ ride, which has a remote feel, but isn’t hard to get to and has great facilities nearby. It’s pretty weather-resistant, too, although you may not want to be up the hills in bad conditions. The route feels like it’s mellowed with age, with…

ROUTES TURKEY BURNERS

This Specialized rider, former Enduro World Series racer and qualified nurse lives with her partner Brodie Hood and daughter Inga in a log cabin in the Scottish Highlands, as sustainably as possible. She speaks to Kari Young about her philosophy on food. “I don’t eat much meat. I do eat venison, but only from the deer that live wild on the local hills, because there are far too many of them. I won’t buy fish from the supermarket, but will from our local fish-and-chip shop, because it’s caught locally. When meat production is on a global scale, nothing works out well. I think if people saw, up close, how the animals were raised and how they died, they’d think twice. The key is to eat local and be kind to the…

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

Shimano have introduced a new Gravity Enduro (GE) series of clipless shoes, effectively phasing out their ME (trail/enduro) and AM (all-mountain) footwear. The GE7s pictured here sit in the middle of the line-up, between the GE5 and GE9, and are designed for downhill and enduro riding. The outsole is made from Shimano’s ‘ULTREAD GE’ rubber and boasts a purposeful-looking dotted tread pattern. Internally, a glassfibre-reinforced nylon shank ought to give good pedalling stiffness, while layers of impact-absorbing EVA foam boost comfort in rough terrain. The ‘TORBAL 2.0’ midsole is designed to allow the foot to roll sideways slightly while cornering for improved bike control. Asymmetric ankle padding, a reinforced toecap and raised sole ‘sidewalls’ all boost protection on the synthetic leather upper. Underneath, Shimano have extended the cleat channel further back than…

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

Our inaugural Rider of the Year awards were a blast, as was the ride the next day. Bring on next year’s awards! JCW had a good chat with Dyfi-based Dave Evans, who’s managing the new UK Trail Project. Funded by SRAM and headed by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, the aim is to work with riders and landowners to make existing MTB trails more sustainable and facilitate the building of new ones. Dave will be visiting key locations to get a feel for what’s happening and to test some questions, which will be rolled out across the UK. Details at https://dmbins.com. Trash Free Trails have released their annual State of Our Trails Report, and it makes for pretty grim reading. An estimated 41 pieces of litter can be found on every kilometre of…

KENEVO SL GETS A POWER-UP Motor and geometry tweaks for Specialized’s long-travel lightweight e-bike NEED TO KNOW Specialized have updated their Turbo Kenevo SL e-bike for 2024, giving it a new motor and minor geometry tweaks. The Brose-built SL 1.2 drive unit is said to be 33 per cent more powerful than its predecessor, with a peak output of 320W, and also has 43 per cent more torque (50Nm, up from 35Nm). It’s powered by the same 320Wh battery as before, said to give the bike a run time of up to five hours in ‘Eco’ mode. A 160Wh range extender is available, which mounts where the water bottle would otherwise go. Spesh’s latest MasterMind Turbo Control Unit is built into the top tube of the frame, which is made from the same…

SCOTT GENIUS ST 910 £6,949 An impressive trail bike that has the potential to bring the thrills To create the Genius ST (Super Trail), Scott have taken their Genius trail bike and fitted a longer, more adjustable fork – in the process, slackening the head angle – along with a more heat-resistant piggyback shock. It’s aimed at riders who prioritise tunability and descending control over locked-out pedalling efficiency. THE FRAME While the mainframe is made from Scott’s ‘HMF’ carbon fibre, the chain-stays and seatstays are aluminium, and the hidden shock is driven by a forged and machined 7075 alloy link. The brand claim their ‘Integrated Suspension Technology’ has benefits including a stiffer bottom bracket (BB) area, said to reduce lateral swingarm movement and improve sensitivity, and a lower centre of gravity, for better handling.…

The day commences on cobbles, as we traverse farmland on tight, rocky lanes between fields. Then the coastline unfolds before us, with its limestone cliffs and pristine sandy beaches. We ride along rugged seaside paths, meander through pine forests filled with root-laden trails and moss-covered boulders, and plunge into ravines. The highlight comes after a particularly tricky climb, when we round a limestone outcrop to find a dramatic hidden cove, where crystal-blue water crashes against rugged cliffs – a far cry from the mud-splattered winter riding back home, that’s for sure! A final challenging, energy-sapping rocky ascent within sight of the race hotel is followed by a thrilling, fluid descent, which propels us triumphantly across the finish line. Ride through time Senior tech editor Tom and I hadn’t heard of the Epic Camí…

RIDERS WHO ROCK!

Rock and heavy metal music has soundtracked many a bike edit, and we know a lot of mountain bikers listen to it to get hyped up to ride – us among them! It turns out it goes the other way, too, with some big names from the harder end of the musical spectrum enjoying a spot of MTB action. But why? The relationship between bikes and music goes back to 1970s legends such as Bob Weir, of hippy favourites the Grateful Dead. Back in the day, the Californian guitarist used to go mountain biking with his friend, MTB pioneer and Dead ‘Party Krew’ member Gary Fisher. As they rode the trails of Marin County, Bob kept a cassette recorder taped to the handlebar of his Cannondale, in case musical inspiration…

RIDERS WHO ROCK!

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS

They’ve been lying to you. Keeping things back. It hasn’t been malicious; they’ve told you morsels and dropped hints. But there simply aren’t the words to do it justice. Nobody you’ve spoken to about riding in British Columbia has adequately described just how good the trails over there are. I’m not going to try, either – you need to find a way to go and experience them for yourself. That’s what I did, after years spent dreaming of riding in this sacred destination. I entered the BC Bike Race, and here’s what happened… I landed in Vancouver on the Saturday before the race, unaware that it was Canada Day, a celebration in which a higher-than-usual proportion of people wear red, and maple syrup flows like wine. Apparently. My transport strategy of…

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS

WRECKED & RATED

MEET THE TESTERS ROBIN WEAVER TECH EDITOR IN CHIEF With three decades of MTB experience, Rob can identify the kit that works TOM MARVIN SENIOR TECH EDITOR XC/trail/enduro rider and tech wizard Tom gives his gear a proper hammering LUKE MARSHALL TECH WRITER Downhiller Luke is always looking for what saves time between the tape ANDY LLOYD PHOTOGRAPHER Andy’s snapped away all day for years, and can tell what’s up to the task SARAH BEDFORD TESTER Scotland-based Sarah has access to top trails and years of experience JAMES COSTLEY-WHITE EDITOR Riding since ’92, JCW knows the score and has an eye for the key details WHY OUR TESTS ARE THE BEST! Our technical-editor-in-chief Rob Weaver gets new products in as soon as they’re available and coordinates all the testing through our team of tech experts, who have unrivalled knowledge and experience. Every test starts with a detailed product check in…

WRECKED & RATED

6 OF THE BEST WINTER LAYERS

GOREWEAR M THERMO LS SHIRT £64.99 www.gorewear.com SO GOOD… GORE’s ‘Slim Fit’ design helps this synthetic baselayer conform to your body’s contours without being skin-tight, so it’s comfortable to wear. The long cut means it can be tucked into shorts or trousers to reduce the chances of exposed skin. Construction quality is top-notch. It’s also available in a women’s version. NO GOOD… The wide and low neckline lets cold air in. Once the fabric is saturated with water or sweat, your core temperature can drop quickly on chilly or windy days. The rather ordinary blend of fabrics doesn’t match its cost. LEATT MTB TRAIL 4.0 JERSEY £69.99 www.hotlines-uk.com SO GOOD… Made from recycled coffee grounds, Leatt’s ‘Warm Yarn’ fabric keeps you cosy down to 5°C and retains heat even when saturated in sweat. With a tight,…

6 OF THE BEST WINTER LAYERS

SARAH’S SANTA CRUZ BLUR XC C S £5,599 Long descents and water bars challenge the Blur in the Highlands Standing around chatting bikes with a friend, he asked me: “So, you like this bike then? Anything bad about it?” I stared down at the Blur and drew a blank. It’s true that the RockShox SID Select+ fork can feel noodly at times and out of its depth on fast, rough ground, but that’s something I’ve got used to and is the sacrifice you make for its light weight. With wintery conditions setting in, I’ve been trying out different tyres, looking for a bit more grip, albeit at the cost of some rolling speed. The original Maxxis Aspens the Blur came with barely look a day old, so I’ve stashed them away for summer.…

HEAD-TO-HEAD BIKETEST WORLD CUP XC WHIPPETS

MEET THE TESTERS ROB WEAVER TECH EDITOR IN CHIEF Rob began his life in mountain biking by racing cross-country and has never shied away from long stints in the saddle on short-travel machines. Over the past couple of years, his love for XC riding and racing has reignited, meaning he’s been putting the miles in regularly on some of the latest and greatest lightweight kit going, both on the trail and between the tape. TOM MARVIN SENIOR TECH EDITOR Tom’s been racing XC on and off for the past 15 years, whether that be short-course blasts, marathon days out, 24-hour slogs or – as while testing the Epic World Cup – multi-day endurance events. With limited time to train, any bike that boosts his efficiency is a welcome partner on the start line. There’s no…

HEAD-TO-HEAD BIKETEST WORLD CUP XC WHIPPETS

GROUPTEST WINTER SHOES

We’re fortunate in the UK to be able to ride year-round. In the MTB hotspots of mainland Europe and North America, mountain biking has to pause for the snowy season. But us lucky Brits can trudge on through our own, rather gloomier, winter, only stopping our two-wheeled adventures for a cuppa and a slice of cake. However, that does leave us needing appropriate kit, which can mean the difference between a marvellous mud-filled memory and a soaking, shivering shocker of a ride. While a decent waterproof jacket is often the first priority, keeping your extremities – such as fingers and toes – comfortable in the cold and wet is an equally important piece of the puzzle. Not that long ago, winter MTB shoes were essentially winter road-bike shoes with an XC…

GROUPTEST WINTER SHOES

HOW TO... MAKE THE MOST OF A GYM MEMBERSHIP

The number of people joining gyms soars in January, thanks to resolutions to get fit, post-festive-indulgence regrets and grim weather making outdoor sports less appealing. However, few stay the course, get into a proper exercise routine and make serious progress. If 2024 is really going to be the year when you’re going to get into shape to be the best rider possible, then you’ll need to hit the gym in a more planned way. PRO-FILE BEN PLENGE JOB Strength Factory coach CREDENTIALS Coach to pro riders including Joe Smith and Vero Sandler, as well as to hundreds of everyday trail riders across the world. Follow him at @strengthfactory_coach and check out his range of online content at https://thestrengthfactory. uk/all-programmes. 1 MAKE A PLAN Whether you buy a training programme or do some research and…

HOW TO... MAKE THE MOST OF A GYM MEMBERSHIP

TECH Q&A DON’T DRESS TO INGRESS I’ve ventured out on a couple of wet rides this winter, only to discover my clothes aren’t as waterproof as they used to be. Is it time to invest in new kit, or is there a way to rejuvenate my jackets, because they’re only a couple of years old? Claire Alterwood, Reading Don’t lose faith in your old riding gear yet. Many manufacturers provide instructions on their websites, offering valuable guidance on longterm kit care and recommended intervals for re-waterproofing. These serve as an excellent starting point. In essence, most waterproof clothing has two key elements – a breathable membrane and a ‘durable water repellent’ (DWR) coating. To maintain the effectiveness of the former, it’s crucial to keep the garment free from grime, oils, and contaminants. The latter will…

TRAILCREW TARLAND TRAILS, SCOTLAND

TARLAND TRAILS, SCOTLAND TRAIL STATS 13 trails – a mixture of flow, tech and jump lines Distance About 10km of descending in total Climbing Smooth singletrack that winds its way through farmland and wooded sections before a fireroad climb to the top Time The climb can take anywhere between 10 and 45mins, depending on fitness and trail choice. Descents can be up to 30mins from top to bottom Grading Six blues, six reds and a black jump line WHY RIDE HERE? Perfectly-sculpted trails that are excellent for aiding progression, in a beautiful location RAD... The trails are well-made for all to enjoy It’s in a stunning setting There’s a thriving local riding scene here BAD... Limited facilities on-site, but Tarland village is just a short pedal away Not the best local spot for highly technical/rough trails The mountain bike scene in Aberdeenshire is flourishing. Every time I…

TRAILCREW TARLAND TRAILS, SCOTLAND

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